Jason Grey

  (3:00 PM)

Hey everyone...and to get it out of the way - nope, I don't have any answers on Howie Kendrick. I'm as baffled as he and the Angels are, and If I had an answer, I'd give it. How a .360 hitter in the minors and .305 in the majors all of a sudden forgets how to hit is not something I can explain at the moment...a little bad luck to be sure, but still....on to the rest of the questions....

Jason Grey

  (3:01 PM)

Just posted a quick thing on Beckham... http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4230845&name=fantasy_baseball Avg, and doubles power to start, HR and SB may not be there...

Zippy fromBoston

What's the deal with Rollins? Hold or try to move him for something, anything at this point? As my first round pick, he's KILLING me!

Jason Grey

  (3:03 PM)

In these kind of situations with a first-rounder underperforming, I've found that your return is still generally greater holding on than whatever you'd get for pennies on the dollar, unless someone is seriously paying for the name value. It's a matter of what is most likely to provide the greater return going forward, and it's usually sticking with your player.

Andrew (NY)

Rank these 3: Zach Duke, Tommy Hanson, Chris Volstad

Jason Grey

  (3:05 PM)

Hanson, Volstad, Duke - Volstad's numbers are a little bit of a mirage, although I do like him, and Hanson is the real deal. Duke will regress.

Will (oxford, ms)

Is Beckham a better option than Tulo? Atkins? (neither start for me)

Jason Grey

  (3:06 PM)

Tulo is getting an MRI on his hand, and word is Atkins is in danger of getting sent to the minors, so just from a playing time standpoint, it's Beckham in the short term.

chris ( lala land)

hey man! drop pettite for porcello? thanks.

Jason Grey

  (3:07 PM)

Yes, just more upside for Porcello at this stage of Pettitte's career.

Bill(NY)

Start KERSHAW and WANDY tonight? I know Kershaw was bad last time he faces the Phillies. Thanks

Jason Grey

  (3:08 PM)

Both are pretty close to automatic starts for me anytime out if I own them.

Cory Hart and Adrian Beltre (MLB)

Better stats to come as the weather heats up, like usual?

Jason Grey

  (3:09 PM)

Yes, especially in Beltre's case, as it appears he has already started to find his stroke.

Sam (SF)

Hi Jason! What are your thoughts on Randy Wells? Do his numbers justify a pickup over Porcello or Dempster? Thanks!

Jason Grey

  (3:11 PM)

I'm not buying it with Wells just yet. New and improved slider, but a lot of luck thus far, and I don't see him continuing to allow just one homer every five starts. The numbers are indeed tempting, but there might be some Fool's Gold here.

Napolean Bonaparte (Paris)

From here on out, Furcal or Beckham?

Jason Grey

  (3:13 PM)

If Furcal continues to show a huge apathy towards running when he gets on base, that's a big concern, but I still would go with him for the moment, because I don't want us to get too ahead of ourselves on Beckham, but I'd be tempted.

Mark (Greensboro NC)

Josh Outman - real or real lucky?

Jason Grey

  (3:15 PM)

Actually a little bit of both...there has certainly been a lot of luck in his favor thus far, but he's also bumped up his strikeout rate a bit...There is definitely some backsliding in his numbers coming, but I don't think he completely collapses.

John (LA)

You mentioned Atkins may get sent down is Andy LaRoche a good replacement?

Jason Grey

  (3:17 PM)

As someone that has struggled to fill a corner slot in one league since Alex Gordon went down, I'd be thrilled if LaRoche was an option. Some leagues free agent pools are a lot thinner than others with available infielders.

Tom (Denver)

What happened to Youkilis. Why did he get pulled from today's game?

Jason Grey

  (3:17 PM)

tight calf muscle, supposedly just cautionary at the moment in a game the Sox were winning.

Kevin (Dead Last Place):

We get 1 keeper in our league. Assuming they do well this season, keep Wieters or David Price?

Jason Grey

  (3:18 PM)

Wieters. When in doubt in keeper leagues, always go for the hitter.

billy(Hot-lanta, Ga)

Do you see any real value for Bastardo for this year? Thanks

Jason Grey

  (3:20 PM)

Define "real" In a 12-team or 15-team mixed format, he definitely has the potential for some value, but I am concerned that his velocity dropped deeper into his first start, so it really depends how badly you need pitching. There's certainly upside, but a lot of risk.

john (elkins park)

When you say Hanson is legit, you mean that he'll one day be a superstar, but for '09 he'll merely be somewhat serviceable, right?

Jason Grey

  (3:22 PM)

I said way back last year that Hanson reminds me a lot of John Lackey. I think his impact this year is better than servicable. It's not just the stuff, but command of the stuff.

bill pgh

Scott Baker seems to do very well in the first 5 innings or so than after that it becomes a bit more interesting. is there reason to be even more concerned. he did fairly well today. thanks.

Jason Grey

  (3:24 PM)

No real concerns for me. Looks like he's finally back from the shoulder issues from earlier in the season and is keeping the ball down a bit more. I'm starting him in a lot of mixed leagues.

Jim, WA

I am trying to figure who to pick up between Wang or Hanson?

Jason Grey

  (3:25 PM)

Wang certainly didn't do a heck of a lot better today - give me Hanson.

Mike (SD)

What type of return could I expect for Roy Halladay?

Jason Grey

  (3:26 PM)

A lot of these questions always come up in chat, and the easy answer is "whatever the market will bear" - I always suggest sending out the group email that says Halladay is seriously on the market, and what your needs are, and listen to the offers that come in to get a definitive answer. It can't be answered in a vacuum.

Ed(San Francisco)

Is hanson talented enough to drop either John Lackey or Kuroda for him? If so who should I drop out of the two?

Jason Grey

  (3:29 PM)

See, here's where you have to be careful. You're hoping Hanson performs as these players have already done in the big leagues. An old joke I used to make about catchers that came up, was "If things break right, he can be another Mike Redmond, but seeing as the actual Mike Redmond is usually in your free agent pool, why not get the real thing?" Ok, not that funny, but I think you get the point. Unless you're in a keeper league, you're trying to squeeze out a little bit extra upside with more downside risk.

Gary (L.A.)

Miggy was pulled from today's game with a hamstring injury. Any sense of the severity?

Jason Grey

  (3:32 PM)

No word yet, he initially stayed in the game and on the bases, but it looked like Granderson had to help him back to the dugout, so it could be more than mild, even though he was able to stay out there and make it around to score. All I have at this point.

Sean Rodriguez (Salt Lake City)

Worth taking a flyer on me? What can you expect if I get the call?

Jason Grey

  (3:35 PM)

Certainly tearing the cover of the ball, but a few things need to fall into place. 1)Kendrick stays cold, 2) the team doesn't decide to call up Wood and move Figgins to second instead or 3) decide to give Izturis more time. Rodriguez also didn't carry over his minor league power to the big leagues last year, so in a mixed league probably not worth the flier right now, though the Triple-A numbers are impressive.

Phil (Boston)

What do you hear about Smoltz? A friend of mine saw him play in NH and said he didn't look great.

Jason Grey

  (3:38 PM)

Heard the velocity isn't quite there yet, but he's locating and throwing strikes - haven't seen him myself. Still a good player to stash away in AL formats, but not sure about mixed with some of the other options that are readily available.

Nick (Chicago)

Nelson Cruz, flash in the pan or this high of production in the second half?

Jason Grey

  (3:39 PM)

Well, he kind of did the same thing at the end of last year as well,, and has a strong minor league track record, so I'd just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Mulder (X-Files)

Is Michael Young a sell high guy or do you believe?

Jason Grey

  (3:41 PM)

It's only selling high if other people are buying a career-high slugging percentage in his ninth season. If someone does that and gives you the proper return, I'd consider moving him, but wouldn't have a problem hanging on.

Joey Votto

What's the latest on my recovery?

Jason Grey

  (3:42 PM)

Nothing. No timetable for a return has been mentioned.

Vito (Canarsie)

Is one of those "other options" that are better than Smoltz Duchsherer?

Jason Grey

  (3:43 PM)

Not at all - Duchscherer's rehab has been shut down, and he may be looking at late July at the earliest

Kelly (Buffalo, NY)

There have NO McCutcheon questions! Please rank Reimold, Dukes or McCutcheon for the season? Thanks!

Jason Grey

  (3:44 PM)

Order you have them, though Reimold/Dukes is kind of close.

Andrew (St. Paul MN)

Is it time to sell high on Edwin Jackson?

Jason Grey

  (3:47 PM)

I'm hanging on to him - the improved slider and velocity are making a difference.

Ryan (jersey)

Any idea when the Fish bring Nolasco back? (if at all)

Jason Grey

  (3:48 PM)

He's getting one more start at Triple-A before the club makes a decision. He;s on the same sequence as Andrew Miller so their fates could be intertwined.

Keith (willing to suck up to get my question answered)

Jason, my favorite analyst...blah, blah... Gary Sheffield: One last good season before he retires, or just a hot streak to ignore? You like him over JPierre (H2H pts league, not roto), LScott?

Jason Grey

  (3:49 PM)

I think hot streak to ignore, especially as it appears he's trying to play through a leg injury right now.

Jenny (NYC)

What's going on with Jay Bruce and is there a chance he gets sent down?

Jason Grey

  (3:50 PM)

http://insider.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?page=clipboard09601 I don't see that happening at all.

Jose Reyes (Queens)

How much of a setback did I have and how will it affect me for the rest of the year?

Jason Grey

  (3:51 PM)

Seems like a significant one, left extended after his second at-bat and went back to New York to be examined by team doctors. We'll probably know more in the next day or two, but doesn't sound good.

Steve (TX)

Miguel Tejada's BABIP is a whopping .365. That is 60 points higher than his career average. That screams sell high, right?

Jason Grey

  (3:52 PM)

I would be trying to do so.

James (OBKY)

How good do you think Jarrod Parker will be?? What is his ETA?

Jason Grey

  (3:53 PM)

I think realistic ETA is next year, but you never know with the D-backs. Parker is a potential No. 1 or No. 2 starter

Mike (Albany)

Does Chris Tillman have any fantasy value in 2009?

Jason Grey

  (3:54 PM)

Absolutely, I think we see him in the second half and there's AL value there. Likely not too much in mixed, though.

Lee (LA... the state)

I can't get anyone to answer questions about Mike Carp. Does that mean he's probably not going to make a lot of noise this year? Worth stashing in a deep AL keeper league? Help me out Jason, I can only handle starting Overbay for so long. Thanks.

Jason Grey

  (3:56 PM)

Definitely worth stashing, but he's in a logjam right now. Branyan still doing well, and Shelton and Clement both hitting the cover off the ball at Triple-A as well, so there's no need for them to worry about rushing Carp at the moment.

Bill (philly)

Kelvim Escobar: are you a believer?

Jason Grey

  (3:58 PM)

If the reports on his velocity are correct, yes. I've got him stashed away in a couple of mixed leagues, though I may wait a start or two.

Nick (NYC)

any news on Victorino?

Jason Grey

  (3:59 PM)

Still day to day, may not be too serious at first glance.

Jeff Clement (SEA)

Any chance I will be called up soon?

Jason Grey

  (4:01 PM)

A knee injury has kept him from playing catcher (and some think that's it for him behind the plate after prior knee problems), which leaves DH, where Griffey is, so unless sentiment starts taking a back seat, it's tough to see a Clement call right now absent an injury.

Jason Grey

  (4:02 PM)

That's it for me today. I apologize I couldn't get to everyone, did my best to a get a broad spectrum of questions and more than 1500 are still in the queue. I'll be back next week. I appreciate all of you taking the time, and hope it was helpful.